CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55: THE BIG DEAL

Xiao Jing is very strict with Rift and quite unkind, but essentially, he’s not trying to make things difficult for others.

He feels that since he saved Rift and brought him into this small circle, he has an obligation to look after him.

Rift now has a pretty good deal in mind but doesn’t dare tell Brother Fugui, so Xiao Jing helps to talk about it.

Qu Jianlei didn’t think there was more to the mecha deal.

He’s really craving a mecha, so he couldn’t help but ask about this turn of events.

Rift had figured out most of the reasons and had analyzed them with Xiao Jing.

So Xiao Jing explained straightforwardly — originally, they wanted to string you along, but you simply stopped negotiating.

Now that the other side knows you have strength, they’ve waited for a long time without seeing you approach, so they came to you actively.

Qu Jianlei analyzed it and felt there was no logical error, feeling a bit tempted for a moment.

In the past, he would be against such underground dealings, first, because they’re not honorable, and second, because they’re too risky.

However, if he could really repair this set of mecha, the odds of successfully crossing the Endless Mountain Range would greatly increase.

Only by reaching the other side of the mountain could he completely rid himself of the shadows of the Hong Character General Settlement... right?

The strong sense of insecurity made him want to take a risk and gamble on this unsafe journey.

At this moment, his intuition suppressed his reason, "We have enough for this deposit."

He was having an episode again, thinking instead of constantly guarding against unknown dangers, why not take a big risk once.

Qu Jianlei was never afraid of death; he just worried that many times, his death wouldn’t be worth it.

Since he had decided, Xiao Jing and Rift naturally had nothing to say.

Two days later, in a wilderness twenty kilometers outside the settlement, Qu Jianlei saw the mecha.

The mecha was in a box truck, and after he examined it thoroughly, the truck drove away.

Not only were they wary of each other, but both sides were also guarding against being double-crossed.

No shootout or silencing happened, indicating that both sides were quite sincere about the deal.

Qu Jianlei didn’t know much about mechas; before coming, his biggest fear was whether the mecha was pink?

If not, oh well then... no, there was still something; the mecha was quite damaged.

Even with Qu Jianlei’s limited knowledge, he could see that the mecha’s integrity was definitely not over seventy percent.

Both sides had their faces covered, the truck drove off, with Qu Jianlei’s side having two people and the opposite side also having two.

There was a moment of silence, and the other side asked, "Are you satisfied?"

Qu Jianlei smacked his lips and muttered disinterestedly, "The rear part is damaged."

"Of course, there are damaged areas," the other side replied indifferently, "otherwise, we wouldn’t sell it."

I meant the rear part! Qu Jianlei snorted slightly, "The drive system is damaged."

The mecha is a single-soldier weapon, with some auxiliary functions, a powerful defense system, and firepower output.

But what makes it a strong combat unit boils down to two units.

One is the energy unit, and the other is the drive unit.

These two units are typically on the back of the mecha, with energy storage at the back and the drive system lower on the back.

This design layout clearly encourages offense, but that’s normal; who would design a weapon with an escape in mind?

"Are you trying to bargain?" the other side asked indifferently and then said, "You name a price."

Qu Jianlei straightforwardly said, "One thousand silver coins."

"That’s impossible," the other side responded bluntly; they had never seen such a way of bargaining, "four thousand silver coins, no less."

"Then it’s a no-deal," Qu Jianlei was always uninterested in haggling.

Without looking back, he said, "Rift, remember to get back the forty silver coin deposit."

"The ten coins for damages are compensation for having looked at the mecha."

His thought was clear, the drive system damage meant the core part of the mecha was ruined.

A car with a broken engine, does it still have purchase value? It’s better to dismantle it for parts instead.

Leaving ten silver coins, he’s already being particular.

"Hmm," Rift standing behind him responded lazily.

The other side didn’t expect the deal to break so quickly; with such a rare item, wanting to earn a bit more, is it wrong?

However, they also knew clearly that although it’s rare, there aren’t many who have the guts and can afford to buy it.

You can find a few thrill-seeking desperados, but small teams as rich as Fugui’s are really hard to find.

There are quite a few big factions with money, but they’re afraid of being swallowed whole.

"Two thousand silver coins, no less, we lost three brothers and four were seriously injured for this mecha."

After much discussion, they finally settled on fifteen hundred silver coins.

But Qu Jianlei didn’t have that many silver coins; he only had two hundred left from the Hongyi Settlement.

These two hundred or so coins couldn’t be spent because he needed to keep procuring materials.

Also, there were silver notes from the Energy Block Store, which could convert to over a thousand silver coins, but it’s not enough for fifteen hundred.

What Qu Jianlei valued was that these silver notes are universal and make purchasing energy blocks more convenient.

He thought that after crossing the Endless Mountain Range, these Silver Notes might still be universal, while Energy Blocks are consumables.

So it’s best not to use the Silver Notes.

Then what he could use is Gold.

He discussed with the other party about the form of payment, but they demanded silver coins, Mutated Beast Meat, or Energy Blocks.

The first two were clearly unlikely; Qu Jianlei wouldn’t lightly provoke the meat tyrant.

He still had seventeen Energy Blocks on hand, and paying fifteen blocks wouldn’t be an issue.

Considering he originally bought them at a 30% discount, he might even make a profit.

But the calculation shouldn’t be this way; crossing the mountains is impossible without Energy Blocks, replenishing them in bulk would require going to the Settlement.

Therefore, Qu Jianlei asked about paying with Gold, what the price should be, but the other party expressed little interest in Gold.

Finally got rid of those sizzling hot Mecha items, why bring back more less overheated ones?

If insisting on using Gold for payment, it would be three kilograms of Gold.

Qu Jianlei felt speechless upon hearing this, three kilograms of Gold could fetch him three thousand silver coins, is this flipping the floor on the spot?

However, the trade practices in the Wasteland have always been like this, with considerable price fluctuations when each takes what they need.

Very rarely, even the crack actively stated, "If it doesn’t make sense, then forget it."

The opposite party truly wouldn’t budge this time, just forget it, but refund you thirty silver coins tomorrow.

In such transactions, a ten silver coin discrepancy isn’t worth mentioning, both sides departed begrudgingly.

On the return journey, the crack expressed, "One kilogram of Gold could almost exchange for nine hundred silver coins..."

"Recently, I’ve heard someone in Hongyi doing this, two kilograms of Gold could get back eighteen hundred silver coins."

Qu Jianlei leisurely remarked, "I exchange Gold, always at one gram for one silver coin."

Crack was stunned for a moment but didn’t argue, "Maybe you’re doing bulk trades, I’ll talk like that too."

Qu Jianlei remained silent, unsure if the other attempted to pocket some for themselves, but... is it important?

At such times, cases like these, helping out by taking some compensation isn’t normal?

Moreover, judging by crack’s stance, it’s apparent they intend to accompany him and Xiao Jing in crossing the Endless Mountain Range.

In such circumstances, if he carried a lot of silver coins, could he hide it from the two?

So, really, there’s no need to think too much about these matters.

Crack didn’t fail at the task entrusted, returning by noon the next day.

"Found someone for exchange, Gold’s price has risen recently, one gram of Gold indeed could swap for one silver coin."

Such exchange outside the city should be higher within the Settlement... Unbelievably, such a notion popped in Qu Jianlei’s mind.

Then last time exchanging Gold for silver coins, did I suffer a loss?

Yet, in the next moment, he tossed that idea aside.

In these cases, what’s this about loss or gain, acquiring the right things at the proper time, what’s a slight premium?

The exchange location is outside the Settlement, it’s a casino.

Many burly men guarded the venue, each looking fiercely, hard to touch types.

Uncertain if they adhered willingly to rules or discovered Fugui’s identity, the exchange process encountered no issues.

To Qu Jianlei’s slight surprise, the other even asked whether he wanted silver coins or Silver Notes.

Thus, he received two thousand Silver Notes.

Casually, offering two ten-silver-coin Silver Notes to Crack, he queried, "Are these usable outside the city?"

The counterpart smiled slightly, "These are sturdier than silver coins, just giving Fugui some face, otherwise slowly carry the silver coins."

Qu Jianlei was taken aback, answering, "Then thank you indeed."

"You’re welcome," the counterpart replied indifferently, "And remember for any Gold, to keep me in mind."

So offering this convenience, this too comes with an agenda—such neatly prepared gold bars are unlikely gathered piecemeal.

Qu Jianlei heard this, paradoxically relaxing, uncalled-for favors invite caution, having stakes is usual.

The two left the casino, crack ventured around once more.

Returning by noon the next day, they located Qu Jianlei, indicating another contact with the Mecha sellers.

They negotiated terms further down, fourteen hundred silver coins, plus that convertible light truck and some munitions.

Ordinary used light trucks aren’t necessarily worth this amount, but this one was modified.

Crack suggests, given must cross the Endless Mountain Range, keeping the truck is no use.

The vehicle-mounted machine gun wouldn’t stay, but with so much ammunition stocked, some could remain.

If decisions change, not wishing to cross the Endless Mountain Range, a better truck could be exchanged.

All told, a convertible being spoils of war, no matter modifications, the foundation remains amiss.

Qu Jianlei pondered, declaring no need for a change, "The truck has so much within, make use of it till whenever."

The modifications on this truck were entirely witnessed by the three from Flower Scorpion, recognition might invite unnecessary trouble.

Unknown to him, the Flower Scorpion trio was accompanying a convoy, on the way to the Hongyi Settlement.